Twisted tales and ghoulishgoings-on in new book

A NEW ghost book about spooky goings-on in villages across the area has been published in time for Hallowe'en.
Adam Carew, the author of Ghosts of East HampshireAdam Carew, the author of Ghosts of East Hampshire
Adam Carew, the author of Ghosts of East Hampshire

Ghosts of East Hampshire by historian Adam Carew is the first in his Historic Hauntings series.

His book features haunted happenings from the old London to Portsmouth Road, including Horndean and Rowlands Castle.

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It includes tales about the ruthless Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers, a phantom gipsy highwayman who was killed by a low branch while drinking gin out of an old tea pot, a well-known community centre once home to Admiral Sir Charles Napier, and three allegedly haunted inns that are still pubs to this very day.

A second comprehensive book, Ghosts of Hampshire, featuring a section on the ghosts of Portsmouth, will be published in time for Christmas.

Adam, who has lived in East Hampshire all his life, said: ‘I fell into writing this quite by accident.

‘I usually lecture on local history, wildlife conservation or folklore such as the customs of Christmas.

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‘I was due to lecture to a community group three years ago but when I contacted them I discovered they had me down erroneously to talk about Hampshire ghosts.

‘As an historian and lover of folk tales I have always been fascinated by ghost stories.

‘So as I had three months to research it I agreed to do it.

‘That lecture formed the basis of my investigations.

‘Three years later I am still researching ghost stories. I had no idea when I started that Hampshire had so many phantoms, restless spirits and haunted places.

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‘These are tales with an historic twist. What I have sought to do is to put them in an historic context.

‘East Hampshire is a wonderful place to live and I think our sense of place and cultural identity are very important.

‘Whether you believe in ghosts or not, I hope you will agree that they making cracking good tales.’

You can buy a copy of the book for £11.99 by e-mailing [email protected].

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